Students assemble for Bullying Prevention Month

Thursday

With an increased focus of bullying in October, the administration at Rochelle Middle School has been working on ways to limit it on campus.

Each grade worked on a theme for anti-bullying for Bullying Prevention Month and the cooperation was evident to Principal Maya Swinson.

“The students have been more respectful of each other since we started this program,” Swinson said.

Eighth-grade teacher Catherine Parker also noticed the camaraderie of the students throughout the project.

“The kids really pulled together and worked on their halls,” Parker said. “There was a lot of cooperation, even with those who don’t really like each other or interact with one another. Friendships were built and gaps were closed.”

The students had a pep rally Thursday, with the school band and cheerleaders performing. There was also a skit done by students about bullying and a video presentation with statistics.

David Cobb, an eighth-grader at Rochelle, enjoyed the rally and the message.

“It was live and hype,” Cobb said. We’re just trying to make a change here.”

Lidia Guzman, the public information officer for Lenoir County Public Schools, enjoyed the enthusiasm of the students throughout the assembly.

“The spirit was high, the excitement was excellent and the students were electrified,” Guzman said. “I was excited about the message and what the school has done about the issue.”

Kinston City Councilwoman Kelly Jarman — who is also the director of the Career and Technical Education Department with Lenoir County Public Schools — said the program was necessary in bringing the topic to light.

“I think it’s wonderful,” Jarman said. “This is a topic all schools need to address, and with it being Bullying Prevention Month, this was a great program to help raise awareness. The counselors and administrators have done a great job.”

Hip-hop radio personalities D-Train and DJ Slice from Power 95.5 in Rocky Mount came in to entertain the children and give insight through personal experiences.

“We deal with a lot of different people and have worked at community centers and group homes, so we’ve seen the impact of bullying,” D-Train said. “We felt it was important to speak to these kids and let them know a positive attitude toward others can take them a long way.”

Both have been active around the state, speaking to children on vital issues.

“I think with the career we’ve had, we’re at a phase where we can give back to as many communities as possible,” DJ Slice said. “Although this was a bullying rally, we also talked to the kids about making smart decisions and keeping a positive mindset.”

Rochelle Band Director Derrick Wiggs believed the radio personalities were great to have at the assembly.

“Our kids need it,” Wiggs said. “There are a lot of things going on in the community, and we’re just finding a way to make it better. It was great having DJ Slice and D-Train here to speak to the kids, because they could hear from people who could probably reach them just as well as anyone.”

Pe’shunce Stewart, an eighth-grader at Rochelle, liked the pulse of the program and how it related to the students.

“It was a good assembly,” Stewart said. “They weren’t just sitting there and talking to us. They did stuff we liked, too.”

Parker feels the message will resonate with the students.

“I think it will bring awareness to the kids, as well, and open up their eyes about bullying,” Parker said. “Sometimes, they don’t know their actions can affect others, not just in the here and now, but have lasting effects.”

Lasting effects have happened in a positive manner for the students, according to guidance counselor Nicole Miller.

“I’ve already noticed climate changes since the first week in October,” Miller said. “It’s gotten progressively better throughout the month, and hopefully it will continue to be that way after this assembly.”

Junious Smith III can be reached at 252-559-1077 and Junious.Smith@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JuniousSmithIII.

Here are some statistics about bullying

Source: dosomething.org

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